Kentucky won't be in jeopardy of missing the NCAA tournament like it did last season. Despite back-to-back losses last week, the Wildcats are a projected No. 6 seed in the NCAAs based on their full body of work. But this team clearly won't be cutting down nets — in SEC play and in the Big Dance — if it continues to sputter.

One thing Kentucky's résumé won't show you is the common theme for this year's squad: No sense of urgency.

In the Wildcats' latest blunder — a 72-67 road loss to South Carolina — they trailed by 16 points with 10 minutes remaining before frantically attempting a comeback. The aggression they used to get back into the game has to be an all-game effort. That hasn't been the case for 29 games.

Calipari got tossed after his second technical foul last night, which seemed to spark some of Kentucky's late 17-4 rally.

"It's frustrating to lose, but … we know what we can do, and it's going to be a great story," said Aaron Harrison, who finished with 21 points. "We talk about it — even after the game — what we can do, and we know we can make a run."

Harrison's confidence may lead us to believe there's a surprise NCAA tournament run on the horizon. Well, we'll be waiting. Just as we have been all season.

Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett celebrates with the net after the Cavaliers game against the Syracuse Orange at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 75-56 and clinched the ACC regular season title.(Photo: Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

"I knew it was going to be electric, but that crowd gives you something defensively. I mean, it was special how intense it was in there and the passion you got from it. Last time I heard it that loud I was at the Taylor Swift concert. I remember I sat there and there were 14,000 teenage girls screaming, and I was like 'I wonder if we can get it like this for a game?' And I'm telling you something: It either rivaled or surpassed it. It was that good."

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STAR WATCH: Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart stepped it up in the final 10 minutes of Oklahoma State's 72-65 upset win against Kansas, scoring 12 of his 21 points without missing a field goal attempt or turning it over. The Cowboys outscored the Jayhawks by 14 points in the final 10 minutes.

Bradley forward Tyshon Pickett (20) protects the ball from the defense of Wichita State guard Nick Wiggins (15) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Carver Arena.
Stephen Haas, AP